Vertical venetian blind



17, 1967 R. J. CAYTON E' TAL 3,298,425

I VERTICAL VEIII'EITIAN BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1964 INVENTORS. 457 (14%)? HZ QT (A M5 Jan. 17, 1967 R. J. CAYTON ETAL 3,293,425

I VERTICAL VENETIAN BLIND Filed Sept. 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTORS @055/97' J CAJ TO/V #535597 (A MEGS United States Patent 3,298,425 VERTICAL VENETIAN BLIND Robert J. Cayton, Pacific Palisades, and Herbert La Mers, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors t0 Louverdrape, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,713 8 Claims. (Cl. 160-176) This invention relates to vertical blinds and more particularly relates to an apparatus for rotating and traversing vertical blinds.

In the mounting of louver type vertical blinds, it is necessary to provide rotatable louver receptacles that will firmly grasp the ends of the louvers and hold them taut, particularly if the louver is made of cloth or other flexible material. In many cases it is required that the blinds be of the traversing type, and in these cases, it is necessary that a plurality of carriages or trolleys be provided for carrying the louvers to various selected positions. When the blinds are of the traversing type, the louver receptacles are, of course, mounted on the carriages or trolleys and the carriages or trolleys must be provided with mechanisms for causing the louver receptacles, and thus the louvers, to rotate. While performing these louver carrying and rotating functions, the carriages or trolleys must be made as compact as possible so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the blinds.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for securely grasping louvers such as those used in vertical blinds.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for firmly grasping and traversing such louvers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such apparatus wherein louver receptacles are provided that can easily and quickly be coupled to the ends of a louver and maintain it taut.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus in which such receptacles are rotatably mounted in suitable traversing carriages.

In general, these objects are achieved by providing a louver receptacle having a spring positioned in a channel which receives the end of a louver, and the louver having means for engaging the spring, the force exerted by the spring causing the louver to be kept taut. The louver receptacles are mounted in carriages that roll in a track mounted above and below the window to be covered, the carriages being provided with means for moving them in the track and means for rotatably moving the louver receptacles relative to the carriages.

The details of the present invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will become more apparent upon reference to the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end view, partly in section, of a trolley and louver receptacle according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2 but showing the louver separated from the louver receptacle;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the louver receptacle of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a view, partly in section, taken along lines 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is an end view of a trolley and louver receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional detail of the louver receptacle of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

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FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view of the louver receptacle of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 1010 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the engaging means of the louver receptacle of FIG- URE 6.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 5, there is shown a first embodiment of the present invention. A carriage or trolley 10 rides on a track 11 land is coupled to a louver 12 by means of a louver receptacle 13. While only one track is shown, it should be understood that'in a normal installation, a first track is positioned above the window to be covered and a second track is positioned below the window, the carriages in each track grasping opposite ends of a louver. The trolley 10 has a body portion 14 from which extend a pair of axles 15- and 16 mounting wheels 17 and 18. The wheels 17 and 18 ride along rails 19 and 20 formed in the track 11 and thus permit the easy movement of the carriage 10 along the track 11. The

. body portion 14 is provided with a first aperture 21 in which is positioned a plate 22 having a pair of apertures 23 and 24 therein. Of course, the plate 22 could be made integral with the body portion 10 if desired. A pair of ropes, cords, chains, or the like 25 and 26 are passed through the apertures 23 and 24 for the purpose of causing the carriage 10 to move along the track 11 by means of a conventional pulley system.

The body portion 14 is provided with a second aperture 27 in which is positioned a worm 28, the inner circumference of which is provided with a plurality of tabs 29 which key into a series of grooves in a driving rod 30. A worm gear 31 mounted on a shaft 32 is located within the body portion 14 and cooperates with the worm 28 to cause the shaft 32 to rotate upon rotation of the driving rod 30. The driving rod 30 may be rotated by a drive sprocket and chain assembly mounted adjacent the assembly for driving the carriage 10 along the track 11.

For purposes of properly spacing the carriages, when they are drawn across a window, each carriage is provided with a knob 33 which cooperates with a spacer 34. The spacer 34 has a slot therein which enables the particular carriage 10 to move a certain distance and then be prevented from further movement. The next carriage is then able to move a distance determined by the length of the slot in its spacer and so forth until all of the carriages are properly positioned.

The louver 12 is looped at its lower end about a louver insert 40 that has a tab 41 which extends downwardly through the louver loop. The tab 41 is provided with an aperture 42. The louver loop or hem and insert 40 are positioned within a generally U-shaped receiver 43 which is provided on its lower surface with a cylindrical plug 44. The plug 44 is provided on its lower end with a bifurcated detent 45 which is adapted to be inserted in a square opening 46 in the top surface of the shaft 32. Each of the bifurcations is provided with a sloping surface 47 and a fiat surface 48 so that when the detent 45 is pressed against the hole 46, the inner surfaces of the hole 46 will force the bifurcations together and permit the detent to enter into the interior of the shaft 32 whereupon the bifurcations again separate and the detent is firmly held in place by the surfaces 48.

The U-shaped receiver 43 is provided on its base with a pair of tabs 49, preferably formed from the base material, which together with the slots left by the formation of the tabs serve to engage the curved ends of an elongated spring 50. The spring 50 is provided with an upstanding tab 51, a portion of which is fashioned in the form of a hook 52.

In the assembling of the above described device, the carriages 10 are positioned in the track 11 and then each carriage has a receiver 43 fastened thereto by means of the detent 45. The spring 50 is positioned in the receiver 43 and the louver 12 positioned adjacent to the receiver 43. The central portion of the spring 50 is then lifted upwards by way of a slot 53 in the receiver 43 until the hook 52 is engaged in the aperture 42 in the tab 41 of the louver insert 40. The spring 50 is then released and it pulls the looped portion of the louver down into the receiver 43. Since similar louver receptacles are positioned on both ends of a louver, the spring 50 serves to keep the louver taut even if it should stretch somewhat over a period of use.

The particular construction of the louver receptacle of the present invention makes it quite convenient to remove the louvers for cleaning or replacement, it only being necessary to lift the spring 50 and disengage the hook 52 from the aperture 42. While the louver receptacle has been illustrated and described as attachable to a movable carriage, it should be obvious that it is not necessary that the louvers be of the traversing type. The louver receptacles can just as easily be attached to members fixedly positioned at desired locations and having an aperture for receiving the detent 45. It should also be obvious that in some circumstances it may be desirable to use a louver receptacle of the type described at only the upper end of the louver, leaving the lower end hanging free and held in position by weights or the like.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 through 11 there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the carriages and track 11 are identical to those shown in the first embodiment and thus will not again be described. As was the case in the first embodiment, the louver 12 has a loop or hem at its end which encompasses a louver insert 60. The hem is provided with a cutout portion 61 which provides access to an aperture 62 in the insert 60. If desired, of course, this insert could be provided with a downwardly extending tab as was the case in the first embodiment.

The louver receiver comprises a rear plate 63 and a front plate 64, the rear plate 63 being L-shaped and having a spacer portion 65. The front plate 64 is mounted on the base of the L-shaped rear plate 63 and held in position by a plurality of rivets 66. The rear plate 63 is provided with a support 67 having a rectangular aperture 68 therein. As was the case with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, the receiver is provided with a plug 44 and bifurcated detent 45 for attachment to the carriage 10.

A rectangular member 69 having a horizontal pin 70 at its upper end is positioned in the aperture 68 in the support 67. The member 69 is provided at its lower end with a bifurcation 71 which permits it to be inserted through the aperture 68. The upper surfaces 72 of the bifurcation 71 serve as a seat for a coil spring 73 which is wrapped around the member 69 and serves to force it downward in the aperture 68. The pin 70 is adapted to be inserted into the aperture 62 in the louver insert 60 and hold the louver insert within the louver receiver, the member 69 and pin 70 thus acting as a hook. If desired, the pin 70 could itself be replaced by a hook similar to the hook 52 of FIGURE 4. It should be obvious that the positions of the aperture and hook of both embodiments could be reversed, that is, the hook being mounted on the insert and the aperture being formed in the tab 51 or member 69. The terms engageable means and engaging means used in the claims are therefore to be considered as defining either of this pair of elements that make up a coupling connection.

An opening 74 is provided in the rear plate 63 so that the pin 70 and member 69 can be raised upwardly against the force of the spring 73 until the pin is inserted in the aperture 62. The spring 73 then acts in the same manner as the spring 50 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5 and urges the louver insert and louver down into the louver receiver thereby keeping the louver taut. While the lou- 4 ver inserts are illustrated as being positioned in the hem of the louver, it should be obvious that they could be clamped, bonded or otherwise firmly attached to the louver, or even made integral therewith.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that apparatus has been provided for firmly engaging the ends of a louver and maintaining the louver taut While enabling the louver to be rotated. The apparatus is simple in construction and extremely convenient in use as the louvers can be easily inserted or extracted from the louver receptacles. The louver receptacles can be mounted in traversing carriages or can be fixedly positioned in desired locations.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms not departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for securely grasping one end of a louver of the type used as a window blind, comprising:

engageable means attached to said louver adjacent said end thereof; spring means a louver receiver for receiving one end of a single louver and being movable therewith, said receiver having a channel formed therein for receiving said end of said louver and said engageable means, said receiver being provided with means for mounting said spring means;

engaging means positioned within said channel for engaging said engageable means, said engaging means being coupled to said spring means and biased thereby to exert a force on said engageable means and retain said engageable means and said louver end within said channel.

2. Apparatus for securely grasping one end of a louver of the type used as a window blind, comprising:

engageable means mounted on said louver adjacent said end thereof;

a louver receiver, said receiver having a channel formed therein for receiving said end of said louver and said engageable means, said receiver having a pair of tabs formed on the interior surface of the base portion of said channel;

an elongated spring mounted in said channel and maintained in place by said tabs, said spring having a tab extending upwardly therefrom; and

engaging means on said upwardly extending tab for engaging said engageable means, said spring exerting a force on said engaging means to retain said engageable means and said end within said channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said receiver is provided with detent means for engaging rotatable means, rotation of said rotatable means thereby causing rotation of said receiver and said louver.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rotatable means is mounted on a carriage, said carriage being movable on a track positioned adjacent a window.

5. Apparatus for securely grasping one end of a louver of the type used as a window blind, comprising:

engageable means mounted on said louver adjacent said end thereof;

a louver receiver, said receiver having a channel formed therein for receiving said end of said louver and said engageable means, said receiver having a horizontal support mounted on one of the side Walls of said chan nel, said support having an aperture therein;

a member slidably mounted in said aperture, said member having engaging means mounted on the end thereof extending above said support for engaging said engageable means; and

a coil spring positioned about said member below said support and cooperating with said support and said member to exert a downward force on said member whereby said engageable means and said end of said louver are retained within said channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said receiver is provided with detent means for engaging rotatable means, rotation of said rotatable means thereby causing rotation of said receiver and said louver.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rotatable means is mounted on a carriage, said carriage being movable on a track positioned adjacent a Window.

8. Apparatus for securely grasping and rotating one end of a louver of the type used as a window blind, comprising:

engageable means attached to said louver adjacent said end thereof; spring means a louver receiver for receiving one end of a single louver, said receiver having a channel formed therein for receiving said end of said louver and said engageable means, said receiver being provided with means for mounting said spring means;

engaging means positioned Within said channel for engaging said engageable means, said engaging means being coupled to said spring means and biased thereby to exert a force on said engageable means and retain 5 said engageable means and said louver end within said channel; rotatable means; and detent means mounted on said receiver for engaging said rotatable means, rotation of said rotatable means 10 causing rotation of said receive-r and said louver.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,165,669 7/1939 Wade 160178X 15 2,545,568 3/1951 Bruner 160-178 2,611,426 9/1952 Randall 160176 2,624,219 1/1953 Peck 160-176X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 20 P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR SECURELY GRASPING ONE END OF A LOUVER OF THE TYPE USED AS A WINDOW BLIND, COMPRISING: ENGAGEABLE MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID LOUVER ADJACENT SAID END THEREOF; SPRING MEANS A LOUVER RECEIVER FOR RECEIVING ONE END OF A SINGLE LOUVER AND BEING MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID RECEIVER HAVING A CHANNEL FORMED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING SAID END OF SAID LOUVER AND SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS, SAID RECEIVER BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID SPRING MEANS; ENGAGING MEANS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL FOR ENGAGING SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS, SAID ENGAGING MEANS BEING COUPLED TO SAID SPRING MEANS AND BIASED THEREBY TO EXERT A FORCE ON SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS AND RETAIN SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS AND SAID LOUVER END WITHIN SAID CHANNEL. 